Blue Stockings (March 21 – March 30, 2019)

A moving, comical and eye-opening story of four young women fighting for education and self-determination against the larger backdrop of women’s suffrage. Cambridge 1896, and Girton College, home to the country’s first female students, is an object of annoyance and derision to the rest of the university. The year’s intake of new women face economic difficult, the distractions of men, radical politics, and the jaw-dropping prejudice that blights every aspect of academy life. Meanwhile, there looms the prospect of a controversial vote to decide: should these ‘blue stockings’ be allowed to graduate? While skilfully invoking its Victorian setting, the play’s themes of gender equality and the power of education are just as important today.

“Cracking… leaves you astonished at the prejudices these educational pioneers had to overcome.” ~ Michael Billington, Guardian

“Touching and entertaining… Swale tells the story with both wit and a hint of righteous indignation.” ~ Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph